Address by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, at the Hearts in Motion: President’s Challenge 2026

A very good morning, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam,

We are also very happy to have with us on this early morning Minister Jeffrey Siow,

Thank you to SPS Shawn Huang,

We are so honoured to be invited here by the ITE team – thank you so much to ITE CEO Peter; Principal Alice, Principal of ITE College West,

To our wonderful ITE students as well as the two thousand residents, we want to say:

1. Welcome to Hearts in Motion, held in support of the President’s Challenge 2026, here at Jurong Lake Gardens.

   1. As our two lovely emcees have mentioned, today’s event really is more than a run and walk because it brings us all together – two thousand of us here – for a meaningful cause. We are all here because we care. We care about building a Singapore where no one is left behind.

2. I think I speak for all of us here when we say that we are so honoured to have President Tharman here as our Guest of Honour today. All of us in Southwest are really happy to see President Tharman right here, back in Jurong Lake Garden.

   1. And we all know, over the years, over the decades, President Tharman’s support has helped inspire a strong culture of respect and mutual support — one where we value the efforts, the skills, and the contributions of every individual as we uplift one another along the way.

3. We also want to commend the student leaders from ITE College West, led by Principal Alice, because the students over the last few months have worked really hard to make Hearts in Motion possible.

   1. In stepping forward, the ITE students from College West have shown what it means to lead with heart, what it means to take ownership, and serve the community with purpose.

4. The President’s Challenge continues to build an inclusive and caring Singapore. This year, it has supported programmes that uplift communities, nurture our people’s potential, and create lasting social impact

5. One example is YMCA’s Club LITE that President Tharman is very familiar with. This programme supports youth with special needs, helping them to build confidence, form friendships, and gain independence.

   1. One of the young adults who has benefited from this initiative under the President’s Challenge is Mr Siau Ek Jin.

   2. Initially, Ek Jin was struggling to connect with his peers, but through the training sessions and group sporting activities, Ek Jin began to open up, and his friends have come to know him for his kindness and as well as warmth.

   3. We are all very happy to hear that Ek Jin now works as a Room Attendant at YMCA @ One Orchard, carrying out his responsibilities with dedication.

   4. This is the impact of the President’s Challenge!

6. Another example is the ITE Inspire Fellowship, because it recognises outstanding ITE graduates who have achieved success and are committed to paying it forward.

   1. One such fellow is Mr Mohamad Suhaimi Bin Sukiman – I think he is among us here – he is joining us because he is an award-winning barista, entrepreneur, as well as author.

   2. Sukiman credits ITE with shaping his personal growth and professional journey. Sukiman is also very passionate about empowering others through education and helping them develop their skills.

   3. Peter and Alice are so proud of him, because as an ITE Inspire Fellow, Sukiman has been invited to launch ITE’s “Brew Your Career” programme. It introduces coffeemaking as well as the work and craft of baristas. The programme will also equip participating ITE students with skills in entrepreneurship, customer service, and creative thinking.

   4. Not only will Sukiman inspire the students with his experience, in fact, this example reminds us that success is not only measured in terms of achievements, but also by how we pay it forward. We are so proud of our ITE Inspire Fellows.

   5. The President’s Challenge continues to bring out the best in our people.

7. On behalf of the President’s Challenge, we would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all our corporate donors, event partners, participants, and volunteers.

   1. Your generosity, your commitment show us what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose.

   2. Because together, we can create lasting and impactful change.

8. Dear friends, as we take part in this morning’s activities, let us remember that every contribution matters. Every step we take today, every gesture of kindness, and every act of giving brings us closer to a “We-first” Singapore.

9. We want to say a big thank you for taking part in Hearts in Motion in support of the President’s Challenge 2026. As today’s tagline reminds us, let us Feel the Beat and Join the Motion. May we all carry the spirit of service with us and continue to make a big difference wherever we go! Have a wonderful day ahead, thank you!